… to address the negatives of reversing HCV forests for logging
The announcement today, on the eve of the Derby World Enduro event, that the Tourism and Forestry sectors have re-signed an agreement as to how they manage conflicts and tensions between the two industries, does nothing to address the detrimental impacts of Premier Hodgman’s proposal to reverse 356,000 ha of high conservation value forest reserves, including some through which the Blue Derby trails and other tourist attractions pass.
While the Wilderness Society welcomes any collaborative agreement that seeks to increase dialogue and reduce conflict, it notes that none of the signatories would have any role in managing, logging, processing or marketing the timber from the reserves.
“Forest Industry signatories to this Agreement are either explicitly rejecting Mr Hodgman’s proposal to reverse high conservation value reserves, or have no future role in its management so there is no comfort that can be gained in relation to the logging of reserves currently included as part of the Tasmanian Reserve Estate,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society.
“The Premier and Tourism Minister Mr Hodgman proposes to reverse reserves in iconic tourist areas like the Tarkine, Blue Derby, Douglas-Apsley, Wielangta and Bruny Island.
“The Blue Derby forests are a perfect case in point. Deliberately built through new forest reserves, these trails have revolutionised the regional economy of the north east highlands. But Premier Hodgman will reverse significant areas through which the trails pass, so they can be logged.
“No one who has signed this new protocol agreement has a role logging the reserves and no comfort can be derived from one line statements of reassurance from the Minister of the day, that logging wont impact on the trails.
“Reversing high conservation value reserves is a backward step that lacks any genuine logic or credible support in the community.
“These areas should instead be gazetted as new national parks and formal reserves, delivering proper protection for the important conservation values they hold and tenure security for community, tourism and recreation interests.
Government is spending over $1m to improve the Wielangta tourist road, another visitor asset that passes directly through the reserves Premier Hodgman wants to log.
Vica Bayley Tasmanian Campaign Manager The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc.
